Kobe Bryant: Power Ranking His Best Performances in Basketball's Mecca
March 19, 2000: 24 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Bryant posted a well-rounded line in this particular contest, and he showed his ability to facilitate for his teammates in addition to finding his own points. He didn't dominate in one particular area, but a solid effort across the board allowed his team to come away with the win.
February 28, 2005: 30 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Although the Lakers lost this one, it was hardly Bryant's fault. He needed just 17 shots to score his 30 points and played a whopping 46 minutes in the contest.
Bryant got to the foul line a ridiculous 17 times, but he didn't hear the usual MVP chants he would've heard inside his own building.
February 11, 2011: 33 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists
It's tough to ask for a better effort from Bryant than the one he gave here, as he was able to score all of his points in just 29 minutes and shot better than 70 percent from the floor.
He added four three-pointers, and it was pretty obvious throughout that he was feeling it from the opening tip.
January 28, 2001: 33 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Eerily similar to his effort a decade later at MSG, Bryant was bringing the heat in 2001, but the Lakers were unable to escape with a victory.
The major difference between his 33-point outbursts against the Knicks separated by 10 years is that he took 27 shots in this one (compared to 17 in the game above), while only making 12 shots on both occasions.
January 31, 2006: 40 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
Any time Bryant puts up a 40-burger, it's worth doing a double-take, but this particular outburst in 2006 was especially sweet because the Lakers won.
He didn't do much besides score in this one, but when someone is feeling it like Bryant was (23-of-26 from the foul line), it's very understandable.
December 23, 2007: 39 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
Just two assists shy of a triple-double, Bryant put forth his A-game in taking home the win against the Knicks back in 2007.
We don't see big lines like this from Bryant very often anymore, but when he does get on a roll like this, it's an awfully fun thing to watch.
February 6, 2003: 46 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Four points shy of 50 and the win. Forget everything else, this was a special game to watch, as Bryant hit a ridiculous 17-of-27 shots from the floor.
February 2, 2009: 61 points, 0 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Who doesn't remember when Kobe lit up the Garden for a whopping 61 points?
Whether it's Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields or Iman Shumpert, without both Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks will have to find a way to attempt to contain him on Friday night.
